Ricky Skaggs
and Bruce Hornsby
REUNITE FOR CLUCK OL' HEN |
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 RICKY
SKAGGS, one of Bluegrass and Country
music’s most recognized ambassadors and
BRUCE HORNSBY, one of Pop's most talented
pianists and singer-songwriters are reuniting for
the first time since originally collaborating six
years ago. On August 20, 2013 the two music
legends will again come together, this time for a
live album, titled CLUCK OL' HEN (Skaggs Family
Records).
Bluegrass treasures and lively expanded hits wait
to be discovered on this fresh collection of
songs from the masterful duo of Skaggs and
Hornsby. These live songs were originally
recorded when the two music icons hit the tour
circuit in support of their first collaborative
album, Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby.
Hornsby’s spirited piano brings a new
dimension to these songs, with electrifying solos
and improvisation thrown in the mix of Skaggs,
Hornsby and Skaggs’ band, Kentucky Thunder.
 “We
recorded quite a few of the live performances
from our tour and came up with a really great
CD," says Skaggs. "It’s a great
merging of two different styles. Listening to
this live CD just reminded me of how much fun we
had touring together. Every show was a
gift."
Hornsby notes, "I've been fortunate to be a
part of scores of collaborations through the
years. Along with my time with the Grateful Dead,
and the various Spike Lee projects, I consider
the long-time association with Ricky to be the
deepest and most satisfying collaboration of them
all. Hopefully this record captures the sound of
a bunch of guys having a great time playing music
together. That's what it sounds like to me."
Without any restrictions, the music is as
fascinating and masterful as the two stars who
create it. The pair blends songs drawn from deep
roots in mountain music, adding piano and
Hornsby's inimitable songwriting to Skaggs’
instrumental core of mandolin, guitar, bass,
fiddle and banjo into a musical feast. Of course,
classic Bluegrass is fully represented with three
Bill Monroe tunes, including the fast and furious
“Bluegrass Breakdown.” Punctuating this
release is a vibrantly expansive version of
Hornsby's early hit “The Way It Is” and
a performance of “White Wheeled
Limousine,” and to sum up the free-spirited
nature of their collaborations, Skaggs and
Hornsby joyfully present the vintage fiddle tune
“Cluck Ol’ Hen.” Skaggs and
Hornsby kick up a storm with their mix of
high-lonesome harmonies, full throttle Bluegrass
pickin' and improvisational piano.
About Ricky Skaggs: www.skaggsfamilyrecords.com
With 12 #1 hit singles, 14 GRAMMY Awards, eleven
IBMA Awards, eight ACM Awards and eight CMA
Awards (including Entertainer of the Year), Ricky
Skaggs is truly a pioneer of Bluegrass and
Country music.
About Bruce Hornsby: www.brucehornsby.com
GRAMMY Award-winning Bruce Hornsby's work
displays a creative iconoclasm that's been a
constant in the artist's two-and-a-half decade
recording career. His commercial stock soared
early on, when "The Way It Is" the
title track of Bruce Hornsby and the Range's 1986
debut album became the most-played song on
American radio in 1987, winning ASCAP's
"Song of the Year" award. While
high-profile work with the likes of Don Henley
and Huey Lewis made him an in-demand
collaborator. He's performed more than 100
concerts with the Grateful Dead as guest
keyboardist. |
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